Government License & Public Sector Surety Bonds

Firearms bonds are tied to Federal Firearms Licenses issued by the ATF, required for dealers, manufacturers, importers, pawnbrokers, and collectors depending on the FFL type held. Alcohol bonds apply to breweries, wineries, distilleries, and wholesalers, and are required by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau when a business owes fifty thousand dollars or more in annual excise taxes, guaranteeing payment of federal alcohol excise tax on beer, wine, and spirits. Tobacco bonds are required in most states for cigarette and tobacco distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers, and stamping agencies, guaranteeing payment of state cigarette and tobacco excise taxes. Because requirements differ significantly across firearms licensing, federal alcohol excise tax, and state tobacco tax laws, businesses should confirm the exact bond type and amount tied to their specific license or permit.

A motor vehicle bond is required when there is a dispute or missing document related to a vehicle's title, most commonly when an owner cannot produce the original title needed to register or sell the vehicle. It protects the state and any future claimants by guaranteeing compensation if someone later proves a superior ownership claim to the vehicle. Once filed with the department of motor vehicles, this bond typically remains in effect for a set number of years before a standard title can be issued. This bond is separate from the dealer license bonds required of auto dealerships.

A notary public bond is required by most states before an individual can be commissioned to perform notarial acts such as witnessing signatures and administering oaths. It protects the public by guaranteeing compensation if a notary commits fraud, negligence, or misconduct while performing official duties. Bond amounts and commission terms vary significantly by state, ranging from a few hundred dollars to fifty thousand dollars depending on the state's requirements. This bond must typically be filed with the state before a notary commission becomes active.

A public official bond is required for many elected and appointed government positions, particularly those with access to public funds, such as treasurers, tax collectors, clerks, and sheriffs. It guarantees the official will faithfully perform their duties and comply with applicable laws while in office. This bond is usually a condition of being sworn in, and most government agencies will not allow an official to begin service without it on file. Bond amounts vary widely, from a few thousand dollars to over a million, depending on the position and the level of public funds involved.

Surety bonds for businesses moving goods domestically and internationally. Domestically, freight brokers, forwarders, and motor carriers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to hold a bond guaranteeing payment obligations to carriers before their operating authority becomes active. Internationally, importers and exporters need a customs bond filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to guarantee payment of duties, taxes, and fees on goods entering the country, available as either a single entry bond for one shipment or a continuous bond covering a year of transactions. Ocean freight forwarders and non-vessel operating common carriers must also secure a bond with the Federal Maritime Commission to legally operate as licensed ocean transportation intermediaries, while businesses temporarily importing goods for exhibition or resale may instead use an ATA carnet bond to cover duties if the goods are not re-exported on time. Certain states also require separate transportation bonds for intrastate carriers and passenger transport operators.